The Vancouver Canucks’ season is coming to an end — time for our first mock draft of the year.
Despite a strong start into the year, the 2015-16 campaign has been a dreadful one for the Vancouver Canucks, and they are set to finish 28th in the standings. On the bright side, 28th in the league equals third in the draft lottery standings and a guaranteed top-six selection at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
For the first time in seemingly forever, the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be held without Canadian participation. So, the draft will be much more fun to look at over the next weeks.
How about a first seven-round mock draft for our Vancouver Canucks?
As of today, the Canucks own a pick in each of the first four rounds, one in the sixth and two in the seventh round.
In addition, they might get a second-round selection from the Columbus Blue Jackets as compensation for ex-Canucks coach John Tortorella. If it is not this year’s pick, Vancouver will get one in 2017 or 2018. The Jackets have to decide by June 1.
Related: 3 Second-Round Targets for the 2016 Draft
Related: 5 Late-Round Options for the 2016 Draft
Will the Canucks select any of these players? We will see in June.
In the first round, a lot will depend on the draft lottery. But, no matter where they end up picking, they will get an elite prospect.
Next: Top 5 Draft Prospect Profiles
Behind that, being third-last in the standings is not a bad thing either. The second-round pick is almost a late first-rounder, the third-round pick almost a late second-rounder and so on.
Vancouver will have many choices, and Jim Benning and his staff seem capable of making the right ones.